Sermon Central
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The Angels 'to-Do' List Series
Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 21, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: What were angels created for? We can learn much about why WE were created by finding the answer to this question!
The Angels ’To-Do’ List
They don’t just float on clouds all day, and they have no bows and arrows to shoot hearts with. They don’t play harps and they don’t play outfield!
What’s an angel’s job?
1. To offer praise and worship to God
v. 2
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Let’s take a peek into heaven, like a fly on the wall:
Rev. 5:11-12
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; [12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Rev. 7:11-12
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, [12] Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Heaven will be a noisy place¡Kwe might as well get used to praising God aloud right now!
Praise and worship are very misunderstood subjects in Christianity today. Did you know that you and I were created for the same reason as the angels? Yes! To praise and worship and glorify God!
How many prayed to God this week? Ok, how many praised Him? Worshipped Him?
How many here came to church this week to praise and worship God? Would it surprise you to know that you are still living in the OT? If you think you HAVE to go to church, or should praise and worship God only in church, you’re OT.
In the OT, worship took place in the temple exclusively. And God’s presence was manifested in a localized way only. In the NT, God doesn’t dwell in buildings made with hands, but in the bodies of believers.
[I Cor. 6--your body is the temple]
Don’t be offended, but this isn’t God’s house...tho’ we use that phrase often. I know, even I tell my kids not to run in God’s house, and pray and say, it’s good to be in God’s house today...but really, this is only the building in which God’s houses come together on a regular basis.
Not only is this not God’s house, but this room we’re in is technically not the sanctuary. The "inner sanctum" is the Holy of Holies, which is where God lives. This room is actually the auditorium into which the "sanctuaries" come together.
Ill.--song:
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for You
Nowhere does the Bible command us to assemble together for the purpose of worship. So why does everyone call it the worship service?
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. [21] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. ¡K [23] But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Worship is not something we do 3 times a week, but 24/7¡K365!
Worship is not just closing your eyes, raising your hands, and repeating some song over and over. It’s focusing on God, it’s walking thankfully, it’s living holy lives.
Worship is not something we do w/ our mouths as much as with our lives. It’s giving all that I am to all that He is.
We say it takes ¡¥3 to Thrive¡¦. I encourage faithful church attendance w/ this phrase. But many people come to church only 3 times in their whole lives: when they’re born [christened], when they get married, and when they die [funeral].
Basically it’s when they’re hatched, matched, and dispatched!
[1st time we throw water, 2nd time rice, 3rd time dirt!]
I’m glad you come to church more than that--but why do we come here if not for praise and worship?
1. To receive instruction from God’s Word
2. To be edified and encouraged by fellowshipping with believers.
Knowing this now, I’m amazed at how people choose a church. The music program, the location, the look of the building!
So, how much time do you spend worshipping God?
Ill.--Imagine you lived in OT times, about 4k years ago. Imagine you¡¦re not a believer, but say, a Moabite, not one of the Israelites. You¡¦re a pagan. You watch as they go into their temple to worship, and you wonder.
